Then he brought me back to the entrance of the temple, and there! I saw water flowing out from the threshold of the temple toward the east. Ezekiel 47
The healing, cleansing, life-giving water is flowing out of the temple. It can’t be contained, because really, who can contain God? We live and move and have our being in him, all of us. All 7.125 billion of us. Who can even fathom that image.
Have you heard that you are God’s temple? That your body is a sacred and holy place that holds the essence of God in his Spirit? Before we were born, our lives were planned and celebrated until we finally splashed into existence at just the right time, in just the right place. Another baby born, another life takes it’s first breath. A new temple comes to live on earth.
In Ezekiel’s dream, the temple didn’t just drip water, like a pinhole leak from a basement pipe. This is moving, life-giving water in abundance.
We are all living in that flow that roils and sloshes inside us. Hidden in our souls, we don’t see it, but we feel it’s presence. As we grow and mature, we learn more about this place, this holiness. The warm waters move and replenish in us through God’s great gift of grace. The Spirit remains when we love as he loves. But being filled is not the same as being the rushing, spreading water that spills out the doors.
I want to be a temple that overflows with the waters of God. Without even being aware of it, I want to cover the life around me with his presence. I believe that kind of abundance will come the same way it happens in nature. In a storm.
Sorrow. Trial. Burden. When they come; job loss, fractured friendships or illness, it causes deep soul-chasms to form. Huge gaps yawn in the landscape of my soul. It hurts….I don’t want it. But if I hide from the hurt, or give up, my temple remains a pitted moonscape. The grace I had begins to dry up as I turn away from the One who gave it.
But. If I turn towards him…
Our Father will respond by opening his precious flood of grace, filling the deep crevasses and gorges in my dry soul. He won’t stop at just filling them. Oh no. The Lord who changed huge stone jars of water into wine will pour a “good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over…” (Luke 6:38)
Those who choose to journey with the Lord through sorrow, pain and challenge absolutely overflow with grace. God’s light and life spill out through their speech, action and even their gaze. They have followed Jesus, carrying their own cross as he carried his.
Yes, we will break. But the Lord hears the cry of the poor. He will fill us to overflowing, turning our scarred landscape into a living, rushing source of life. Then, our very presence will shout the name of God.
Surrounded by the Spirit on Facebook
“But if I turn toward Him”…and isn’t that just the answer to everything that ails us, whether it be our spiritual needs, or physical needs? Oh, Ceil, I loved this. Thank you so much for sharing.
Hi Dianna! I like the way you say that turning to God is really the answer for everything. It is! But sadly, it doesn’t mean that I always do that. Well, maybe eventually, but I do get frustrated at times. So much better to turn to the One who gives grace in abundance!
I’m so glad you liked the post Dianna, thank you for your kind words. They really encourage me!
Have a restful night,
Ceil
Ceil, Ceil….this is so powerful and beautifully written. God has given you a gift with the words He wants as they flow out and onto the paper (as we called such once upon a time).
“Oh no. The Lord who changed huge stone jars of water into wine will pour a “good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over…” (Luke 6:38)
“Those who choose to journey with the Lord through sorrow, pain and challenge absolutely overflow with grace. God’s light and life spill out through their speech, action and even their gaze.”
This is one section that grabbed me. I love the Luke Scripture…”…running over….” His living waters can indeed when we allow Him to be in control. I want that too.
I am so glad you commented on the journaling post as you encouraged me. And then I came here. : )
Caring through Christ, ~ linda
Hi Linda! I’m glad I came by your blog tonight too. Caregivers are wonderful, giving and exhausted people! And I should always read about journaling. I tend to be spotty at best with that.
Thank you for your kind words about the post, it really means a lot. I hope we’ll always encourage each other!
Evening blessings,
Ceil
Overflowing with His Spirit. Yes, yes, Ceil, that’s who I want to be … daily, week in and week out.
We come thirsty and needy, that’s for sure. And He waits with open arms.
Thank You, Lord! And please lend Your healing touch to my dear friend.
Hi Linda! I think we all want to be like that temple, just overflowing with grace and the presence of God. It’s such a beautiful image, isn’t it?
Thank you for your continued prayers. I feel better day by day!
Have a restful night,
Ceil
Ceil, I honestly don’t know what is more beautiful….your writing or your heart. Well, I do know–it’s your heart. I don’t think one could write like that otherwise. Thank you for this beautiful post.
Hi Kathleen! What a lovely comment…I’m really touched by your thoughts. Thank you so much for making me smile. I never really know if what I write will hit home with anyone. You make me feel like this one did.
Bless you and yours for your generous heart,
Ceil
Ceil I pray that your leg heals completely and quickly…
This post paints a beautiful picture of the overflowing “uncontainable” healing presence of God. He fills us and renew us. Blessings to you
Hi Danise! Thank you for your prayers, I am sure they are helping. I feel a bit stronger every day.
Yes! That flowing water is healing! May we all feel his healing grace in our lives. Great thought 🙂
Happy Thursday!
Ceil
What a lovely read this morning. Praise the Lord that His supply never runs dry!! We keep asking and He keeps giving.
Hi Tori! Thank you for your visit here today!
I agree, we are so blessed with such a loving and generous God. I hope I’ll be smart enough to keep asking, so I can keep standing in that flow.
Have a great day!
Ceil
Wow….what an awesome “sermon” I feel like I’ve been to church! Drink from the Fountain where you’ll never thirst again!
Hi Deb! I’m glad this post resonated with you! It is a joy to know that God will fill to overflowing, even in us. Especially in us! We can be so powerful for him in our lives, if we’ll only walk with him.
Thank you for your encouraging words! I really appreciate your kind comment 🙂
Ceil
Ceil, love this! Beautiful post…beautiful words packed with so much!
Hi Patty! Thank you for visiting today!
I’m so glad you liked the post. The image of a temple overflowing is so beautiful, it was great inspiration. May God fill us to overflowing today!
Have a good afternoon,
Ceil
Dear Ceil, I just read this today and loved it. I agree with all the comments above, I too want to be overflowing with His life, love and grace. You are blessed with the gift of writing and this is such a visual picture for me. I want His healing, cleansing and life giving water to pour out from me. Since I’m facing surgery on this coming Monday, this is a perfect reminder. Thank you for sharing His heart with us. I pray your leg is getting stronger every day.
Blessings,
Noreen
Hi Noreen! Thank you for your very encouraging comment today. I am so happy that you could relate to the post. I think the image of flowing water is so inspiring. I used to hear this passage from Scripture and wonder what the heck it meant.
Now it has all kinds of meanings for me.
You will be in my heart when I pray, for your upcoming surgery. May his healing water rush over you in comfort and peace.
Blessings right back!
Ceil
Oh Ceil… this is just so beautiful and inspiring. It softens my heart, and speaks to my soul… may He pour His life giving grace all over my weary landscape. May I drench myself in His love, free flowing rushing water finds me as I read your powerful words, and take in His Truth.
Hi Chris! Thank you for stopping by and reading two posts, and commenting on them too. You are such a good blog-friend!
Thank you too for your lovely comment. I know that God is just pouring his life into you in this time of recovery. And congrats on being a Huffington Post blogger!!
Have a peaceful night,
Ceil
This is so powerful, Ceil. I love the picture of overflowing grace and desire it with you. “He will fill us to overflowing, turning our scarred landscape into a living, rushing source of life.” Such beautiful comfort. Thank you.
Hi Trudy! Thank you for your generous comment my friend. And I’m really happy that you found comfort in the words. May we all be filled to overflowing, so we can spill out his love everywhere we go!
Hope you had a great day!
Ceil
A wonderful post and prayer. Thank you.
I hope you are healing well and are not in too much pain. Praying for a full and quick recovery.
God bless you and yours.
Hi Victor! Thank you for all your prayers and good wishes. I treasure each one of them! Thank you for your blog-friendship and concern.
I’m glad you liked the post today, and I think we can both agree that we want the love of God to just seep out of us. May he always fill us to the brim!
Ceil
Wow, what a powerful visual image. I think many times we tend to think of God as some slow and smiling grandfather rather than the majestic, holy, and terrifying being that he really is!
Hi Loren! I agree with you, because I think of him as a Grandfather sometimes myself! But what awesome power he has. He creates all things and blesses them with his presence and grace. Phew.
And to know that he’ll share that with us, if we desire and ask. May God fill us always, and allow us to be his workers in our lives!
Ceil
Right now as I type my heart is heavy with concern for a family member. My flesh wants to…well…I won’t even write what my flesh wants to do. So I am asking right now for that flowing love and grace to fill me. Thanks Ceil.
Oh Betty, I’m so sorry about your family concern. I will keep you in my heart when I pray, in hope and faith that Jesus will flow out his grace and peace to you and to the situation.
I don’t know why we are so tested, but I will also pray that you and your family’s well-being will be restored.
Hugs and blessings,
Ceil
Oh my goodness I just loved this post, Ceil. I kept wanting to highlight to copy what stood out to me most but then I’d keep reading and want to highlight again. And then really I just wanted to highlight the whole thing because I loved all of it. Just a powerful post. Going back to read again!
Hope you are recovering with each passing day.
Much love.
xoxo
Hi Beth! Thank you so much for your inspiring comment! It makes me feel so good that you would like the post so much. Bless you for your support and encouragement always.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Ceil
This is incredibly beautiful and encouraging, Ceil! Oh, how “I want to be a temple that overflows with the waters of God” too. Thank you for reminding me that it is possible. What an amazing vision to pursue!
Hi Candace! I’m so happy you enjoyed this post. Thank you for telling me!
I think we all want to be overflowing fountains for the Lord. Isn’t it a beautiful image? If we can pray and have faith, I know that we will be given that grace.
Have a wonderful weekend 🙂
Ceil
I need that living water that comes from God everyday. To quench my thirst and make me alive. To renew my strength and to soar up on high. To bring life around me and to be God’s witness. To God be the glory. Let us seek God’s presence in every area of our lives and every minute that we have:)
Hi Joy! Thank you for your visit and comment, and for the Facebook love too. You are such a wonderful blog-friend!
I love your comment, searching the ways that you need God’s living water. So beautiful. To God be the glory for sure!!
Have a great weekend!
Ceil
Yes turning to God is indeed our answer. In Bible Study on Wed. as I was teaching I was reading Hebrews 3:1-6 to the ladies so we could break it down. I landed on the the word “Consider” in vs one. (Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus,) All I could thing about was what if I CONSIDERED Jesus first with everything in my life! WOW! So when I read your blog today the word “TURNING” just went hand in hand for me this morning. Thanks for sharing the Word of God. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
Hi Cindy! What a wonderful thing to do! I love bible studies. Such a great time to reflect, learn and to meet new people too.
That’s a great word, ‘consider’. It calls me actively into the message. I have to do some work! You given me something to think about today as I travel my Friday. Thank you for being my study leader too!
Blessings,
Ceil
You are truly inspiring Ceil.
Thanks for the beautiful post.
Hi Margie! Welcome back from vacation! I hope you had a lovely time with your husband. I’m sure you had many inspiring times to write about.
Thank you for your kind words too. Have a great weekend!
Ceil
Thank you for such a beautiful post. (I am a tad behind in catching up, sorry about that/this.) Blessings
Hi Linda! It’s nice to see you again!
I’m glad you liked the post today. And I know that you are busy with school and home. I hope the weather is a little better where you are? I heard there’s going to be more snow in the east…hope that doesn’t mean you.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Ceil
Oh those floods of grace – how I love to soak in them! Great post Ceil.
Hi Mindy! We’ll soak them up together, ok??
Happy Sunday 🙂
Ceil